Portable incinerator heat recovery device and method of use

Abstract

A heat recovery device for use with a portable incinerator. The heat recovery device comprises first and second legs which support a heat exchanger thereon. An air flow path is formed from the bottom to the top of the first leg, through the heat exchanger and from the top to the bottom of the second leg. An open space is provided between the two legs and below the heat exchanger. A portable incinerator may be placed within this open space. When solid waste is burned within the incinerator, the exhaust port of the incinerator lies below the heat exchanger. A blower attached to the lower portion of the first leg creates air flow through the heat recovery device such that the air is heated in the heat exchanger by heat produced from the exhaust port of the portable incinerator. A tube is then coupled to the second leg in order to direct the heated air flow to the interior of an adjacent building. The present invention therefore allows solid waste to be burned and the heat thereby produced is recovered for heating of the building. However, it is not necessary to exit the building every time it is desired to dispose of solid waste. Instead, the solid waste is collected within the portable incinerator inside the building and the portable incinerator is installed in the heat recovery device only when a sufficient quantity of solid waste has been collected for incineration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A heat recovery device for use with a portable incinerator, comprising: a plurality of walls defining an air flow path;   a heat exchanger within the air flow path;   wherein the plurality of walls define an opening adapted to receive the portable incinerator therein such that an exhaust port of the portable incinerator is positioned substantially under the heat exchanger;   a blower having an outlet in communication with the air flow path; and   means for coupling the air flow path to an interior of a space to be heated.   
     
     
       2. The heat recovery device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of walls are formed from steel. 
     
     
       3. The heat recovery device of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes, wherein interiors of the tubes are in communication with the air flow path. 
     
     
       4. The heat recovery device of claim 1, further comprising: means for coupling an inlet of the blower to the interior of the space to be heated.   
     
     
       5. The heat recovery device of claim 1, further comprising: a heat shield coupled to the plurality of walls and substantially covering one side of the opening.   
     
     
       6. The heat recovery device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one slide rail adapted to facilitate sliding of the portable incinerator thereon as the portable incinerator is moved into the opening.   
     
     
       7. The heat recovery device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of walls are positioned to absorb radiant heat emitted from the portable incinerator. 
     
     
       8. A heat recovery structure for use with a portable incinerator, comprising: said structure having an interior air flow path, wherein the structure is adapted to receive the portable incinerator under at least a portion of the structure such that hot exhaust gases from the portable incinerator heat the portion of the structure;   a blower having an outlet in communication with the air flow path; and   means for coupling the air flow path to an interior of a space to be heated;   wherein the portion of the structure includes a heat exchanger.   
     
     
       9. The heat recovery device of claim 8, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes, wherein interiors of the tubes are in communication with the air flow path. 
     
     
       10. The heat recovery device of claim 8, further comprising: means for coupling an inlet of the blower to the interior of the space to be heated.   
     
     
       11. The heat recovery device of claim 8, further comprising: at least one slide rail adapted to facilitate sliding of the portable incinerator thereon as the portable incinerator is positioned substantially under the heat exchanger.   
     
     
       12. The heat recovery device of claim 8, wherein the structure is adapted to absorb radiant heat emitted from the portable incinerator. 
     
     
       13. A method for recovering heat from a portable incinerator, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting material to be burned within the portable incinerator;   (b) moving the portable incinerator in order to position the portable incinerator within a heat recovery device, wherein the heat recovery device includes a heat exchanger positioned substantially over an exhaust port of the portable incinerator;   (c) igniting the material with the portable incinerator;   (d) causing the air to flow through the heat exchanger, wherein the air is heated; and   (e) causing the heated air to flow into an interior of a space to be heated.   
     
     
       14. The method of claim 12, wherein said collecting step is performed within the space to be heated. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 12, wherein said causing the air to flow step further comprises: (a) suctioning air from the space to be heated; and   (b) blowing the suctioned air into the heat exchanger.